Latest injury end of the line for Tariq Lamptey at Brighton?

The prognosis offered by Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler about the latest injury suffered by Tariq Lamptey did not sound great.

“T has a big issue. He had a bad moment in the training session, I can’t say exactly how long he will be out,” Fabian Hurzeler revealed when asked why Lamptey was absent from the matchday squad for the Albion’s 2-2 draw at Manchester City.

Given that injuries described as minor by Hurzeler this season have seen Lewis Dunk miss six weeks and James Milner not kick a ball in seven months, it is frightening to think what a big issue means for Lamptey.

Presuming he does not play again over the remaining nine weeks of the campaign ahead of his contract expiring in the summer, this may well be the end of his Brighton career.

Now sign of a new deal between Lamptey and Brighton

Sources in Ghana said the Albion were due to open talks with Lamptey over a new deal in January. But there has been no news since with the days ticking down until June 30th, when he will become a free agent.

Lamptey has been able to discuss a free transfer to foreign clubs since the turn of the year. He will not be short of suitors, as shown by the interest which came his way in January.

Ajax and Leicester City were heavily linked with late moves in the winter window to sign Lamptey on a cut-price transfer.

The Albion were adamant they did not want to sell, even if it represented their final chance to get some sort of fee for Lamptey.

Sparkling form over February and March

This proved to be a good decision. Injuries to Pervis Estupinan and then Joel Veltman saw Lamptey’s services put to use at left and then right back over February and March.

He made seven consecutive starts, the most he had managed in four-and-a-half-years since between September and November 2020.

Not only was Lamptey fit and playing, but he was in good form too. After looking like a rabbit caught in the headlights during the 7-0 thrashing at Forest, Lamptey was the best player on the pitch in the FA Cup win over his former club Chelsea.

Impressive performances followed against Chelsea again, Southampton, Plucky Little Bournemouth and Newcastle United until a late second yellow card at St James’ Park.

Tariq Lamptey then missed the home victory over Fulham through suspension before suffering his current ankle injury in training prior to the trip to Manchester City.

His displays in helping Brighton rack up their best sequence of victories since promotion to the Premier League where providing a late flurry of further evidence that Lamptey is worth keeping at the Amex.

And if recent form was moving the dial on the club’s apparent reluctance to offer Lamptey a new contract, this latest injury could not have come at a worse time.

Tariq Lamptey and his injury record

The talent of Lamptey has never been in question. It is why he remains a hugely popular player with Brighton fans, despite all his injury problems.

Many players who have suffered as many different issues as Lamptey over the course of five seasons would have lost the patience of fans long ago at best. At worse, they would be derided. Hello, Paul Kitson.

Lamptey though is immune to that. He is a likeable young man and someone with the ability to gets fans out of their seat.

Watching Lockdown Lamptey terrorise opponents during the early part of the 2020-21 season when games were played behind closed doors gave everyone something to look forward to when you couldn’t go to the pub without buying a scotch egg.

But where Brighton are probably struggling to justify giving Tariq Lamptey a new contract is that aforementioned injury record.

Since joining from Chelsea in January 2020, Lamptey has played 120 times for the Albion. According to the ever reliable Transfermarkt, he has missed 77 games injured.

Tony Bloom wants Brighton to become regular participants in Europe. Do they require a more reliable option than Lamptey in their squad to fight on four fronts?

Some would say no and that Lamptey is fine playing when fit and there is room around Veltman, Estupinan, Ferdi Kadioglu and Jack Hinshelwood.

Will Lamptey play first team football if he stays at Brighton?

That though does not take into account what is best for the player. It could be the Albion want to keep Lamptey and the impasse in contract talks is being caused by his desire for more first team football.

Lamptey turns 25 in September. He should be hitting the peak of his powers and not spending the prime of his career signed up for another four years of potential bench warming at the Amex.

Because that is what he was doing during the early part of the Hurzeler Regime. Of the first 11 Premier League games he was available for this season, Lamptey played just 10 minutes off the bench.

Even having contributed three goals and an assist during limited playing time up to December 31st, Hurzeler did not want to start Lamptey.

It only happened when The Youngest Permanent Manager in Premier League History had his hand forced by injuries to Estupinan, Igor and Veltman all at the same time.

Nobody could blame Lamptey for seeking out greater game time elsewhere. Or wanting a change of scenery in the hope it brings about improved fitness.

He may look at Jakub Moder playing regularly and scoring goals in the Champions League as inspiration for what a move away from England can do. Specifically, a move to the Netherlands. Destination Ajax maybe?

Another injury would be a sad way for Tariq Lamptey to end his Brighton career. But if this is the end of the line, he will leave the Amex with the best wishes of everyone.

The Streets will never forget Lockdown Lamptey.